shin splints
What is it?
"Shin splints" is actually the symptom of several different ailments in the lower leg. It will manifest itself as a pain or ache in or around the shin area which may be accompanied by swelling and muscle tenderness.
The most common injury that can lead to shin splints is inflammation of the periosteum, which is the membrane covering the fibrous bone. They can also be caused by bone trauma, tendonitis and muscle tears.
The pain may not actually stop you from running, but continuing to do so will make the problem worse.
How does it occur?
Shin splints are often caused by over training, especially by novice runners. Running exclusively on hard surfaces can cause the problem, as can excessive over pronation. This is where your ankles roll in towards each other and muscles and tendons in the lower leg are put under a great deal of stress.
Inappropriate footwear can also be to blame (see our section on footwear selection), and inadequate stretching (see our stretching pages) can contribute to the problem because if the calf muscles are too tight they will put increased stress on the front of the leg muscles.
How to treat it
Stop running until the pain subsides. You can continue training, although you must avoid anything that puts stress on the anterior muscle.
Check that you have the right shoes - use our section on footwear selection, but it is a good idea to visit a specialist shop to find the best pair for you if you suffer from chronic shin splints.
If the pain continues and is sharp and intense making even walking painful, you may be suffering from a stress fracture. If you think this may be the case, visit your doctor immediately.
How to avoid it
Wear the correct shoes, avoid over training, stretch thoroughly before and after exercise and try to run on grass as often as possible.